ADC 239 

DLMS Unit of Material Measure (UI/PU) Conversion Guide Update 

1. ORIGINATOR: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) TQ Sustainment, and DLA J6U 

2. FUNCTIONAL AREA: Supply 

3. REFERENCES 

 a. DOD 4000.25-M Defense Logistics Management System (DLMS) Manual, 

Volume 1, Appendix 4, DLSS/DLMS Conversion Guide. 

 b. DLMS Unit of Issue/Purchase Unit to X12 Unit of Measure Conversion Guide 

(Logistics Qualifier Code List *8), http://www.dla.mil/J-6/dlmso/eApplications/logdrms/ 

logview/LQVQCrpt.asp?FindCode=*8&tockword=&Code37=00&camefrom=&inat 

(Attachment 1)

4. REQUESTED CHANGE: 

 

a. Title: DLMS Unit of Material Measure (UI/PU) Conversion Guide Update 

 b. Description of Change: This change updates DLMS Unit of Material 

Measure Conversion Guide to add Units of Measure values that are valid under American 

Standards Committee (ASC) X12 transactions with their corresponding DOD Unit of 

Measure values. 

 c. Procedures: Add the following values to the X12 Unit of Material Measure 

Conversion Guide: 

NAME/DEFINITION DOD CODE X12 CODE

Dispenser DI DI 

Truck Load TC TC 

Apothecary Dram AD UX 

Apothecary Grain GX OG** 

Apothecary Grain GX UG 

**ASC X12 Code OG has been approved for use in version release 005030. 

ASC X12 Code UG will be used for all versions up to version release 005030. 

 

4. REASONS FOR CHANGE:

 a. DLMS Manual, Volume 1 Appendix 4 (reference 3.a.) says that specified 

DOD data values established in DOD systems must be converted to the 

corresponding ANSI ASC X12 code values for transmission under the DLMS. The 

Unit of Material Measure (Unit of Issue/Purchase Unit) Conversion Guide is one of 

three conversion guides used to support DLMS transaction processing. The purpose 
of the conversion is to allow DOD systems to continue using DOD codes internally, 

and convert these to X12 codes during transmission only in order to pass compliancy 

edits. Valid X12 codes must be valid at the version/release in which the transaction 

is processed (pending adoption of more flexible business rules within DLMS or 

within the ASC X12 community). When DOD codes are identified as missing or 

new the equivalent X12 code must be identified and added to the conversion table. 

The equivalent X12 code may be equal to or similar to the DOD code value. Where 

no equivalent X12 code is available at the appropriate version a substitute code may 

be assigned for temporary use. 

b. During the SAMMS closeout process, DLA will be transitioning documents 

in which the values of the Units of Material Measure “Dispenser” and “Truckload” 

are required for their processes but are not listed on the X12 conversion guide. Valid 

X12 values for these units of material measure are available. (These are understood 

to be DLA unique codes which are not recognized in the Federal Logistics 

Information System (FLIS).) 

 

 c. The Defense Distribution System (DDS) has identified documents in which 

the Units of Material Measure “Apothecary Dram” and “Apothecary Grain” are 

required for their processes and have been added to the conversion guide. A valid 

X12 code for Apothecary Grain is available at 5030. Until DLMS transitions to 

version 5030, a substitute code that is valid for 4010 and higher will be used. 

 

5. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES: 

a. Advantages. Maintains DLMS capability to support valid DOD unit of 

measure codes. 

b. Disadvantages. The use of substitute codes may cause confusion. 

DLMSO will continue to pursue flexible use of codes across X12 versions.

 

6. IMPACT: All internally maintained unit of material measure conversion tables 

must be updated to adopt the above codes.